It Is Important To Find Joy This Holiday Season

We are five days out from Christmas. I’ve finished all of my shopping for the children. I need to get Babe two more things and I need to shop for my Mom. I feel like I’m in a pretty good place in terms of preparation and such. We don’t put any gifts under our tree until after the kids go to bed Christmas Eve night. Oh, they get all of this magic.

I like to create and continue traditions. Babe isn’t always on board, luckily that doesn’t stop me. Oh, you gonna get this tradition like it or not. The one tradition I hold on to is new pajamas. This everyone is on board with, because I believe in exercising creative control I pick them out, I buy them and then I give it to them and make them put it on. They shower Christmas Eve night before bed and then I bestow their new pajamas on them. I know my family so I generally pick them out based on their likes.

Photo Credit: Damon for Derrel Todd

This guy and I are two weeks out from being together for 14 years. Lawdamercy!

Another annual tradition that I force on the family is family pictures. I’m a picture junkie, no surprise there. This is another tradition that the family goes along with. Because creative control I decide what we are wearing; to some degree. I always pick the colors and from there I dress myself and the kids. I give input to what Babe is wearing and then I watch the magic happen.

Photo Credit: Damon for Derrel Todd

This picture accurately describes our regular family dynamic.

These people get on my last nerve and the twelve I keep on reserve. Conversely, they also make me the happiest I’ve ever been. They make me laugh and they make me cry. He and I made two human beings, that blows my mind. Parenting isn’t easy and it hasn’t been easy and no I wouldn’t do it again but I’ve had the most amazing partner to do it with. I’m forever thankful.

Photo Credit: Damn for Derrel Todd

I’m so thankful they have each other. I hope they keep this crazy bond forever.

To know that I grew these two in my body is still quite magical. I felt them move from the inside before I got to meet them. The beat of my heart was their first lullaby. They are smart, even though their smarts gets them in trouble sometimes. They are funny, my gosh they so silly and have the most vivid imagination I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t trade them in for anything. I can’t wait to see what they become.

Photo Credit: Damon for Derrel Todd

I love both of my kids 100% but I love them differently. LittleCuteLips is the life of the party and The ManChild likes to fade into the background. With a seven-year age gap between them, they are in totally different spaces. The ManChild is a teenager now and things are different; our relationship dynamic has changed for the better. I’m so thankful because between age nine and twelve was incredibly rough. LittleCuteLips is three weeks out from turning six and she is the ultimate girly girl. She doesn’t have a care in the world. While they were taking these pictures I was trying not to cry my lashes off. The Manchild is 13 and he is growing by the day it seems. I was looking at his pose and he has this mustache with this deep voice oh and did I mention he is taller than me? Yes, he is about 5’6 right now and he has only been 13 or a month. How sway! LittleCuteLips is so freaking long, I’m certain she is bigger than her brother was at this age. Also, they are eating me out of house and home.

Photo Credit: Damon for Derrel Todd

We open gifts at home then lay around for a few hours and play with new items. Then we get dressed and head over to my in-law’s laws and do Christmas all over again. We have a family dinner with them, my brother in law/sister in law and nieces are also there. In recent years my Mom and sister have joined us. We laugh we chat and then open gifts. Then have cocktails and dessert and laugh until the midnight hour when we pack up all the new goodies and go home. Although we do the same routine every year we still look forward to it.

Photo Credit: Damn for Derrel Todd

This year has been even better than the last. I’m looking forward to 2018 being even better personally and professionally. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Hanukkah to you and yours. Did I cover everyone? I hope so if not, Happy Holidays!

Do you indulge in holiday traditions? Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.

Mimi Green is the Lifestyle Media Correspondent and editor behind MimiCuteLips®. She is a mother of two and a girlfriend to one. You can find Mimi working media at your favorite events, traveling and trying out new adventures, or working on a dope DIY project.

I love traditions! We actually open our gifts at midnight, because we have brunch with my family and dinner with his, so little time to do things in the morning. Nobody wants to do the pajamas, but I currently have them in my cart and all I need to press is check out. Thank you for sharing. Happy Holidays!

Beautiful photos! My family used to have breakfast and dinner every Christmas, but it has changed a lot as we have gotten older. I try my best to create my own traditions for myself like incorporating my Caribbean culture in the food we eat and music we play around this time of year.

I think the only tradition we have is our family always has Christmas at my aunt’s house but it’s always a good time. Your family is beautiful, and you do not look like you should have children that age. Go ‘head with your fine self!

This year we area changing up our holiday traditions a little bit. We usually travel for the holidays, but this year we will be home. Both are definitely special ways to celebrate the holidays. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

This was such a sweet post! In the past couple of years I haven’t really been up on our traditions that much, however, I have been in the Christmas spirit so I plan to do some baking and watching movies in the next couple of days! My family drives me crazy but I wouldn’t trade them for anything!!!

I haven’t had family photos made since my youngest was about 6 months old. Maybe next year, I can get my husband on board. We are done shopping for the most part, I have to grab a stocking stuffer for my son.

What a beautiful family! We are like you, no presents under the tree until Christmas EVE. I do Pjs on St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6). This allows the kids to wear them all season long, but I make sure they are washed and ready to go Christmas EVE! Wishing you and yours all the best!

I love your photos. You have such a beautiful family. It is lovely to read about others gratitude especially during Christmas, it helps you reflect on your own thankful feelings during this season. Merry Christmas!

The holidays are hard for me and my children. Losing their dad right after the holidays and I still feel the loss of my mom all these years later. We do travel and make new family members which makes me happy and I hope brings my kids joy.

That can’t be easy but I love that you guys are making new traditions for yourself. It is great to reflect on your loved ones. To do something they enjoyed, some folks make them a part of their traditions. Like playing their favorite song while decorating the tree or something like that.

Finding joy is so pertinent for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and the such. Especially when it’s very easy to NOT find the joy. My husband’s uncle just passed away last weekend, and I’m sure that could sour an entire event this season, but his children are still joyous while mourning, and they are still going forth with their traditions to show the younger children how to find joy in darkness. Thanks for the great reminder Mimi.

I love that his children are still joyous. You laugh about the memories while continuing the traditions. That is the best way to honor their dad. It can be tough but its possible to do. Our kids are always watching so this is a great example.

I am absolutely down with the pajamas on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! I don’t know if it was ever a tradition, but I have found myself making that a priority since it’s very popular with a lot of folks.

We usually open on gift on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas Day. After gifts are open, I then start in on my cooking…Yes, we open gifts very early on Christmas Day!

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Hey Cuties, Mimi here living my best life in the Washington, DC area.I am quite possibly the dopest person you know. I am a Lifestyle Media Correspondent, the life of the party, and the eater of all things delicious. #FatSnacks